Embedded Meta-Carrier with Code Progression Message Reassembly

ABSTRACT

A method of embedding and transmitting a meta-data message in an original burst carrier signal for message reassembly comprising spreading a meta-carrier signal using a Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) spreading code having a Pseudo-Random Noise (PRN) spreading code sequence, the meta-carrier signal comprising one or more bits of meta-data information about the original burst carrier signal, lowering a power spectral density of the meta-carrier signal using the PRN spreading code such that interference with the original signal is reduced, combining the original burst carrier and the meta-carrier signals using a modulator such that a composite burst carrier signal results wherein the meta-carrier signal occupies at least a portion of a bandwidth of the original carrier, and transmitting the composite burst carrier using a transmitter over a telecommunications channel in which only one burst carrier signal is expected to be present within a predetermined frequency bandwidth at a point in time.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of currently pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/218,849, entitled “Embedded Meta-Carrier withCode Progression Message Reassembly” to Michael Beeler et al., which wasfiled Aug. 26, 2011, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/024,402, entitled “Embedded Meta-Carrier withSpread Spectrum Via Overlaid Carriers” to Michael Beeler, et al., whichwas filed on February 10, 2011, pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/044,446, entitled “Embedded Meta-Carrier with Spread Spectrum forPeriodic-Burst Carriers via Overlaid Carriers” to Michael Beeler, etal., which was filed on Mar. 9, 2011, and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/024,951, entitled “A Method and System for Transmission ofIdentification via Metadata for Repeating Relays using Spread-SpectrumTechnology” to Frederick Morris, et al., which was filed on Feb. 10,2011, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference intheir entirety. The earlier U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/218,849also claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/322,257, entitled “Embedded Meta-Carrier with SpreadSpectrum via Overlaid Carriers” to Michael Beeler et al., which wasfiled on Apr. 8, 2010, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/389,130, entitled “Embedded Meta-Carrier with Spread Spectrum forPeriodic-Burst Carriers via Overlaid Carriers” to Michael Beeler et al.,which was filed on Oct. 1, 2010, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/360,213, entitled “A Method for Transmission of Identification viaMeta-data for Repeating Relays Using Spread-Spectrum Technology” toFrederick Morris, et al., which was filed on Jun. 30, 2010, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/502,512, entitled “EmbeddedMeta-Carrier with Code Progression Message Reassembly” to MichaelBeeler, et al., which was filed on Jun. 29, 2011, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated entirely by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Aspects of this document relate generally to telecommunication systemsand techniques for transmitting data across a telecommunication channel.

2. Background Art

Since the introduction of electromagnetic (EM) transmission, a recurringproblem continuing to challenge the industry is the identification ofthe periodic-burst carrier. The problem is most prevalent in the TimeDivision Multiple Access (TDMA) Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT)satellite industry, but is not limited as such. The need to identify acarrier signal may be due to failed equipment that results in thetransmission equipment transmitting or sweeping the wrong spectrallocation or locations. In this event, this carrier is known as a “roguecarrier.” A second need to identify a carrier signal may be due to animproperly configured carrier signal. An improperly configured carriersignal is primarily due to human error. In many situations, the rogue orimproperly configured carrier signal results in service disruption dueto interference with a carrier signal assigned to operate in the sameoccupied spectrum. The methods described provide the ability for someoneskilled in the art to rapidly identify the source of the interferingcarrier signal using the methods described.

SUMMARY

Implementations of a method of embedding and transmitting a meta-datamessage in an original burst carrier signal for later message reassemblymay comprise spreading a meta-carrier signal using a Direct SequenceSpread Spectrum spreading code having a Pseudo-Random Noise (PRN)spreading code sequence, the meta-carrier signal comprising one or morebits of meta-data information of a meta-data message about the originalburst carrier signal and lowering a power spectral density (PSD) of themeta-carrier signal using the Pseudo-Random Noise (PRN) spreading codesuch that interference with the original burst carrier signal isreduced. The method may further comprise combining the original burstcarrier signal and the meta-carrier signal using a modulator such that acomposite burst carrier signal results wherein the meta-carrier signaloccupies at least a portion of a bandwidth of the original burst carriersignal and transmitting the composite burst carrier signal using atransmitting device over a telecommunications channel in which only oneburst carrier signal is expected to be present within a predeterminedfrequency bandwidth at a single point in time.

Particular implementations may comprise one or more of the followingfeatures. The telecommunications channel may be configured such thatmultiple burst carrier signals are present within different frequencybandwidths at the single point in time. The method may further compriseremoving at least one of phase and time ambiguity of the meta-carriersignal based on a predetermined characteristic of the original burstcarrier signal. The predetermined characteristic may be a preamble ofthe original burst carrier signal. The method may further compriseestablishing a start time for the meta-carrier signal within thecomposite burst carrier signal based on a preamble of the original burstcarrier signal. The PRN spreading code may further comprise apredetermined step in the PRN spreading sequence to indicate advancementto a next location in the meta-data sequence. The PRN spreading code mayfurther comprise a fixed offset in the PRN spreading code sequence. Themethod may further comprise using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) todetermine one or more bit errors or gaps in the transmitted sequence. Achip rate of the meta-carrier signal may be equal to a symbol rate ofthe original burst carrier signal.

Implementations of a method of receiving and reassembling non-sequentialmeta-data information embedded within an original burst carrier signalmay comprise receiving, by a receiving device, multiple composite burstcarrier signals, each composite burst carrier signal comprising anoriginal burst carrier signal and a meta-carrier signal, wherein themeta-carrier signal occupies at least a portion of a bandwidth of theoriginal burst carrier signal and comprises one or more bits ofmeta-data information of a meta-data message about the original burstcarrier signal that is non-contiguous in reference to a temporal orderin which the meta-data is received by the receiving device, detecting,by a detecting device, a Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)spreading sequence and extracting the meta-carrier signals from thecomposite burst carrier signals, and determining a phase progression ofthe meta-carrier signals based on a Pseudo-Random Noise (PRN) spreadingcode. The method may further comprise storing the one or more bits ofinformation from the meta-carrier signal in a storage device andreassembling the one or more bits of meta-data information from eachmeta-carrier signal into a sequential order after an entire meta-datamessage is received and extracted from one or more subsequently receivedcomposite burst carrier signals.

Particular implementations may comprise one or more of the followingfeatures. The method may further comprise establishing a start of themeta-carrier signal based on a predetermined characteristic of theoriginal burst carrier signal. The method may further comprisegenerating one or more digital samples of the received meta-carriersignal using an analog to digital converter. The method may furthercomprise reprocessing incoming data stored by a recording device afterdetection of an error. The method may further comprise repetitivelycommanding stored incoming data to be iteratively output using a controldevice. The method may further comprise storing, by a storage device,received and demodulated portions of the PRN spreading code sequence.The method may further comprise determining whether at least a portionof an incoming meta-data message is available to combine with at leastanother portion of the incoming meta-data message using an iterativedetermination process. The method may further comprise outputting, by anoutput device, a meta-data message in response to obtaining an entiremeta-data message. The PRN spreading code may further comprise apredetermined step in the PRN spreading code sequence configured toindicate advancement to a next location in the meta-data sequence. ThePRN spreading code may further comprise a fixed offset in the PRNspreading code sequence. The method may further comprise Searching forone or more meta-data message bit segments containing one or more errorsand establishing a probability of reassembly of the meta-data messagewhen the one or more errors is corrected using an iterative process. Themethod may further comprise using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) todetermine one or more bit errors or gaps in the received meta-datasequence. A chip rate of the meta-carrier signal may be equal to asymbol rate of the original burst carrier signal. The method may furthercomprise verifying accuracy of a received meta-data message byreferencing an external database.

Implementations of a system for embedding and transmitting a meta-datamessage in an original burst carrier signal for later message reassemblymay comprise a first spreading device configured to spread ameta-carrier signal using a Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)spreading code having a Pseudo-Random Noise (PRN) spreading codesequence, the meta-carrier signal comprising one or more bits ofmeta-data information of a meta-data message about the original burstcarrier signal and a second spreading device configured to lower a powerspectral density (PSD) of the meta-carrier signal using thePseudo-Random Noise (PRN) spreading code such that interference with theoriginal burst carrier signal is reduced. The system may furthercomprise a modulator configured to combine the original burst carriersignal and the meta-carrier signal such that a composite burst carriersignal results wherein the meta-carrier signal occupies at least aportion of a bandwidth of the original burst carrier, and a transmittingdevice configured to transmit the composite burst carrier signal over atelecommunications channel in which only one burst carrier signal ispresent within a predetermined frequency bandwidth at a single point intime.

Particular implementations may comprise one or more of the followingfeatures. The telecommunications channel may be configured such thatmultiple burst carrier signals are present within different frequencybandwidths at the single point in time. The spreading device may befurther configured to remove phase or time ambiguity of the meta-carriersignal based on a predetermined characteristic of the original burstcarrier signal. The predetermined characteristic may be a preamble ofthe original burst carrier signal. The PRN spreading code may beconfigured to establish a start time for the meta-carrier signal withinthe composite burst carrier signal based on a preamble of the originalburst carrier signal. The PRN spreading code may further comprise apredetermined step in the PRN spreading code sequence configured toestablish a breakpoint in the PRN spreading code sequence to indicateadvancement to a next location in the sequence. The PRN spreading codemay further comprise a fixed offset in the PRN spreading code sequence.The system may further comprise a processing device configured to use acyclic redundancy check (CRC) to determine one or more bit errors orgaps in the transmitted sequence. A chip rate of the meta-carrier signalmay be equal to a symbol rate of the original burst carrier signal.

Implementations of a system for receiving and reassemblingnon-sequential meta-data information embedded within an original burstcarrier signal may comprise a receiving device configured to receivemultiple composite burst carrier signals, each composite burst carriersignal comprising an original burst carrier signal and a meta-carriersignal, wherein the meta-carrier signal occupies at least a portion of abandwidth of the original burst carrier signal and comprises one or morebits of meta-data information of a meta-data message about the originalburst carrier signal that is non-contiguous in reference to a temporalorder in which the meta-data is received by the receiving device, adetecting device configured to detect a Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum(DSSS) spreading sequence and extracting the meta-carrier signals fromthe composite burst carrier signals, and a first processing deviceconfigured to determining a phase progression of the meta-carriersignals based on a Pseudo-Random Noise (PRN) spreading code. The systemmay further comprise a storage device configured to store the one ormore bits of information from the meta-carrier signal and a secondprocessing device configured to reassemble the one or more bits ofmeta-data information from each meta-carrier signal into a sequentialorder after an entire meta-data message is received and extracted fromone or more subsequently received composite burst carrier signals.

Particular implementations may comprise one or more of the followingfeatures. The PRN spreading code may be configured to establish a startof the meta-carrier signal based on a predetermined characteristic ofthe original burst carrier signal. The system may further comprise ananalog to digital converter configured to generate one or more digitalsamples of the received meta-carrier signal. The processor may befurther configured to reprocess incoming data stored by a recordingdevice after detection of an error. The system may further comprise acontrol device configured to repetitively command stored incoming datato be iteratively output. The system may further comprise a storagedevice configured to store received and demodulated portions of the PRNspreading code sequence. The processor may be further configured to usean iterative determination process to determine whether at least aportion of an incoming meta-data message is available to combine with atleast another portion of the incoming meta-data message. The system mayfurther comprise an output device configured to output a meta-datamessage in response to obtaining an entire meta-data message. The PRNspreading code may further comprise a predetermined step in the PRNspreading code sequence configured to establish a breakpoint in the PRNspreading code sequence to indicate advancement to a next location inthe sequence. The PRN spreading code may further comprise a fixed offsetin the PRN spreading code sequence. The processor may be furtherconfigured to search for one or more meta-data message bit segmentscontaining one or more errors and establish a probability of reassemblyof the meta-data message when the one or more errors is corrected usingan iterative process. The processor may be further configured to performa cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to determine one or more bit errors orgaps in the received meta-data sequence. A chip rate of the meta-carriersignal may be equal to a symbol rate of the original burst carriersignal. The processor may be further configured to verify accuracy of areceived meta-data message by referencing an external database.

Aspects and applications of the disclosure presented here are describedbelow in the drawings and detailed description. Unless specificallynoted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specificationand the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning tothose of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fullyaware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. Theinventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only theplain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claimsunless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly setforth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differsfrom the plain and ordinary meaning Absent such clear statements ofintent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors' intent anddesire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms beapplied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.

The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar.Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be furthercharacterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term,or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptiveterms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts ofEnglish grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms,or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases begiven their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in theapplicable arts as set forth above.

Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards andapplication of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Thus, theuse of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Description ,Drawings, or Claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire toinvoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, to define theinvention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6 aresought to be invoked to define the claimed disclosure, the claims willspecifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “stepfor, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “meansfor performing the function of [insert function]”), without alsoreciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support ofthe function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performingthe function of . . . ” or “step for performing the function of . . . ,”if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support ofthat means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is theclear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6are invoked to define the claimed disclosure, it is intended that thedisclosure not be limited only to the specific structure, material oracts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition,include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform theclaimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of theinvention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalentstructures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will beapparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from theDESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction with theappended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:

FIGS. 1A-E are representations of an embedded burst meta-carrierwaveform.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an implementation of a burst meta-carrierinsertion modulator and transmitter configuration.

FIG. 3 is an example of a power budget showing degradation of theoriginal burst carrier signal when combined with a burst meta-carriersignal to create a composite carrier signal.

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram showing an example of where a burstmeta-carrier signal may be placed in a transmission sequence.

FIG. 5-6 are timing diagrams showing an implementation of a method inwhich an initial and subsequent burst of meta-data is chipped with aburst meta-carrier PRN sequence, respectively, resulting in a burstmeta-carrier spread sequence.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are block diagrams of an implementation of a burstmeta-carrier receiving and processing device using an implementation ofa method for reassembly of non-contiguous messages.

FIG. 8 is block diagram depicting an implementation of startingsequential offsets assigned to each transmission terminal uponinitialization.

FIG. 9 is a logic flow diagram showing an implementation of a receivingdevice.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an implementation of a sequential stepping of aPRN sequence for each burst in which a 2̂15 PRN code is steppedsequentially.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an implementation of fixed stepping of a PRNsequence for each burst in which a 2̂15 PRN code is broken into eight (8)sections.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an implementation of fixed stepping of a PRNsequence for each burst in which a 2̂15 code is broken into eight (8)sections and each transmitter has a fixed offset at the start of eachburst.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to thespecific components, frequency examples, or methods disclosed herein.Many additional components and assembly procedures known in the artconsistent with embedding meta-data techniques for periodic-burstcarriers are in use with particular implementations from thisdisclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particularimplementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementingcomponents may comprise any components, models, versions, quantities,and/or the like as is known in the art for such systems and implementingcomponents, consistent with the intended operation.

Particular implementations of burst meta-carrier with message reassemblydisclosed herein may be specifically employed in satellitecommunications systems. However, as will be clear to those of ordinaryskill in the art from this disclosure, the principles and aspectsdisclosed herein may readily be applied to any electromagnetic (IF, RFand optical) communications system, such as cellular phone orterrestrial broadcast network without undue experimentation.

This disclosure relates to, but is not limited to the reassembly ofmeta-data from a burst type carrier signal using the contiguous natureof a PRN spreading sequence as a method for reassembly. As an additionalembodiment, the burst meta-data information may be replaced withtelemetry, coordinate (latitude and longitude manually entered orprovided by a Global Positioning System (GPS) automatically), user data,or any other relevant data. Particular implementations described hereinare and may use, but are not limited to, Field-Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGA), Programmable Logic Devices (PLD), Programmable IntegratedCircuits (PIC), Digital Signal Processors (DSP), Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASIC) or microprocessors.

Implementations disclosed herein may rely on a shared medium using TimeDivision Multiple Access (TDMA). The use of burst-like TDMA allows aterminal to transmit a burst signal for a duration over a shared mediumfor a given time (number of symbols) either allocated explicitly(assigned) or allocated to a number of terminals (opportunistically) forbursting over the time (number of symbols) allocated medium (spectrum).The methods described herein use the concept of the meta-carrier signalcontaining meta-data about the original carrier signal to provideinformation to a monitoring device to determine the identification ofthe burst carrier signal. When using a TDMA architecture, the ability totransmit an entire message, that would be of use for identifying thesource of the transmitter, may take more time (greater number ofsymbols) than would be allocated in a single TDMA burst. The describedmethods outline a mechanism for reassembling a non-contiguous messageusing the attributes of a spread spectrum sequence for re-assembling theindividual bursts into a contiguous message for identifying thetransmission sources over the shared medium.

Particular implementations of methods disclosed herein assume that thetelecommunications channel may operate in a non-interfered configurationwhere each terminal bursts its information with no or minimal overlap,and in an interfered configuration where another terminal, using similaror different technology, may be occupying the medium thereby causinginband interference.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a method and system for creating acomposite burst signal from the original burst carrier signal and aburst meta-carrier signal for burst transmission and reception, burstdemodulation, decoding and processing of the burst meta-carrier signaland the original burst carrier signal. Particular embodiments of thedescribed methods use Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) techniquesto address both the power spectral density mitigation of the burstmeta-carrier signal and for the unique identification of the burstinformation for the processing and reassembly of the received meta-datamessages.

Particular implementations of methods disclosed herein pertain toembedding information into a periodic-burst carrier signal to helpidentify an electromagnetic transmission's origin. In a burst-carrierenvironment, the duration of the burst is small; typically, but notlimited to, tens to a few thousand modulated symbols in duration, so theamount of information transmitted may be a limited number of bits, e.g.less than 5 to 10 bits. The ability to detect a burst carrier signal andprovide information about the burst carrier signal such as, for example,information about the transmission equipment (manufacturer, model,serial number, configuration, etc.), may thereby provide identificationas to the source of the burst carrier signal's transmission. Methods maybe employed for an electromagnetic emitting device that usesperiodic-bursts, such as optical or Radio Frequency (RF) transmissionequipment for point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and/ormultipoint-to-multipoint for embedded information. This applicationhereby incorporates entirely by reference, pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/024,402, entitled “Embedded Meta-Carrier withSpread Spectrum Via Overlaid Carriers” to Michael Beeler, et al., whichwas filed on Feb. 10, 2011; pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/044,446, entitled “Embedded Meta-Carrier with Spread Spectrum forPeriodic-Burst Carriers via Overlaid Carriers” to Michael Beeler, etal., which was filed on Mar. 9, 2011; U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,612, entitled“Spread Packet Communication System” to Seiji Kachi, et al., which wasissued on September 14, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,397, entitled “SpreadAloha CDMA Data Communications” to Norman Abramson, which was issued onJul. 16, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 6,985,512, entitled “AsynchronousSpread-Spectrum Communications” to Scott McDermott, et al. which wasissued on Feb. 28, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 7,433,391, entitled“Spread-Spectrum Receiver with Fast M-Sequence Transform” to James F.Stafford, et al. which was issued on Mar. 3, 2007; and U.S. Pat. No.7,227,884, entitled “Spread-Spectrum Receiver with Progressive FourierTransform” to Scott McDermott, et al. which was issued on Jul. 31, 2002.

Implementations of a method for embedding information about the burstcarrier signal may be accomplished using a Pseudo-Random Number (PRN)like sequence as a code sequence for providing a chipping sequence forproducing a spread spectrum signal. The PRN-like code sequence is usedfor chipping the meta-data to first lower the Power Spectral Density(PSD) of the meta-carrier signal containing the meta-data sequence to alevel that provides minimal impact to the original burst carrier signalthat the burst meta-carrier signal is being combined with. Secondly, thecode sequence acts as a progression mechanism as to where a burst is inthe PRN code sequence which is later employed for reassembly of themeta-data sequence at the receiving end of the link.

The embedded DSSS meta-carrier signal may be time and phase aligned withthe original burst carrier signal's preamble sequence, thus removing anyphase ambiguity at the receiving device, thereby resulting in lowerprocessing time and less searching for the embedded meta-carrier signalsequence under the original burst carrier signal.

The methods described herein may use a sequential sliding approach inwhich the code sequence progresses one chip at a time through the codeepoch, a step-sliding sequence in which the code will be advanced to thenext known point in the code, or a step-sliding sequence with uniqueoffset in which the code will be advanced to the next known point in thecode for rapid detection by the remote receiving device. The progressionthrough the code sequence is directly proportional to the amount of timethe burst aperture remains open.

Described methods may assume the meta-carrier signal's data rate is afraction of the data rate of the original-burst carrier signal's datarate. Combining the meta-carrier signal's spread spectrum carrier signalwith the original-burst carrier signal results in a combined compositecarrier signal that may be delivered to the original-burst carriersignal's demodulators with minimal impact to the signal quality whilecarrying information about the burst transmit terminal that may beextracted by a meta-carrier decoding device.

The decoding device may be a real time or non-real time processingdevice that receives the periodic composite burst signals and beingsprocessing the burst signals upon receipt when operating in real-timemode or digitizes the burst signals for storage and processing at alater time for non-real time processing. The decoding process may assumea priori knowledge of the original burst carrier signal's preamble anddetermines the preamble section of the burst signal to ascertain theproper time and phase alignment to prepare for the reception of theembedded burst-meta carrier signal.

FIGS. 1A-E illustrate a particular implementation of a bursttransmission carrier wherein the output has been modulated to IF/RF. Inthese diagrams, the output of the modulating equipment contains a singlemodulated carrier x_(orig)(t)=A_(I) cos (ω_(c)t)+A_(Q) sin (ω_(c)t) asrepresented as X_(orig) and does not necessarily contain informationabout the origin, configuration, etc. of the source transmission, or anyembedded information. FIGS. 1A-E and FIG. 2 illustrate a burst carriersignal (non-continuous) where the carrier signal is only present whenuser information must be transmitted. When no user information is to betransmitted, the carrier signal is in an “off,” or “muted,”configuration. In a muted configuration, no original burst carriersignal or burst meta-carrier signal is output. In a prior applicationrelated application, the burst meta-carrier signal method is describedin a non-limiting manner. However, the duration of the transmission(time duration of the carrier signal) is specifically addressed, and themethod addresses the short duration (time or number of symbols) neededto determine if the duration of the transmit burst is usable for theembedding (combining) of the meta-carrier information into the burst. Inthe present description, the ephemeral nature of the “burst carriersignal” is directly addressed and provisions are made to directly toknow the duration of the burst signal either through a priori knowledgeprovided by a hub/controller burst time planner, which is responsiblefor instructing each terminal when to start and stop bursting, or byknowing the allocation of available duration of burstable time (ornumber of symbols) and knowing the backlog of user data that would berequired for purging the queue where user data is being stored.

The prior related applications referenced above describe the concept ofthe meta-carrier signal (both continuous and burst), but neitherdescribe the method of insertion of the meta-carrier signal to ensurealignment to the original carrier signal and re-assembling a message dueto fragmentation of the burst nature of the burstable (TDMA) carrier.

When the burst meta-carrier signal is utilized, the duration of a burstcarrier signal must be kept as short and confined as possible, since thecommunication channel may be shared by many other communicationsterminals (burst carrier signals) over an allocated spectrum. Thepresent methods ensure that the meta-carrier signal is rapidly mutedupon direction such that the transmit aperture is no longer present. Theburst carrier signal's short duration (ephemeral existence) requires amethod that is described in this application. In the particularimplementation illustrated in FIGS. 1A-E, the carrier information isshown as a low-rate (non-spread) carrier, y_(CarrierI)(t)=B_(I) cos(ω_(c)t+φ_(c))+B_(Q) sin (ω_(c)t+φ_(c)), as represented as Y_(CarrierI)120, prior to being spread.

The creation of the meta-carrier signal using the methods disclosedherein assumes that the original carrier signal and meta-carrier signalare created in a collocated process as shown in FIG. 2. Keeping theprocesses collocated allows the information that is utilized to createthe original burst signal to be used for creating the meta-carrierburst. The symbol rate and proper power are assumed to be a priori, sothe appropriate chip rate may be applied in the burst modulator 200 andthe proper power set prior to upconversion and power amplification 210to ensure the resulting power spectral density (PSD) results in minimalimpact to the original carrier signal as show in FIG. 3.

In one implementation, Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) may be used asthe modulation format of the burst meta-carrier signal, however, one ofordinary skill in the art would recognize that this disclosure is notlimited as such. Once the low-data rate burst meta-carrier signal 120 isspread or chipped, the waveform may be the spread burst meta-carriersignal 130 and represented as s_(chipped)(t)=Bchipped_(I)cos(ω_(t)+φ_(c))⇄Bchipped_(Q) sin (ω_(c)t+φ_(c)), which is transmitted at apower level that is very close to the noise floor 110. As one skilled inthe art would refer, the low-data rate spread burst meta-carrier signalis then combined (IF or RF) with the original burst carrier signal tocreate a composite burst carrier signal 140 also shown in FIGS. 1A-E asZ_(composite)=X_(orig)+S_(chipped). Therefore, knowing the energy of thesignal to noise density of the original burst carrier 100X_(orig)(Es/No) of X_(orig), and knowing the processing gain G_(p) of alow data rate burst meta-carrier signal 120 that has been chipped tobecome a chipped meta-carrier signal 130, S_(chipped), which is 10 Log(BW_(RF)/Data_(CarrierID)), such that the result is a signal that hasbeen chipped by many tens, hundreds, thousands, or even millions oftimes, and the ratio of X_(orig) to S_(chipped) is many times greaterthan X_(orig). The BW_(RF) bandwidth may be the 3 dB or 99% bandwidth ofthe chipped waveform. For example, assuming an original burst carrier100 with a BW_(RF) of 256 KHz is provided with a burst duration of 20milliseconds, and the burst meta-carrier signal 130 uses a spread factorof 2048, the processing gain G_(p) with a spread factor of 2048 can beexpressed in Decibels (dB) as 10 Log (2048)=33.11 dB. The duration of 20milliseconds would support a message operating at 256 Ksps for aduration 20 milliseconds (5,120 symbols) to be transmitted where themeta-carrier signal may be embedded. As a second example, assuming anoriginal burst carrier signal 100 with a BW_(RF) of 512 KHz is detectedwith a burst duration of 10 milliseconds, and the burst meta-carriersignal uses a spread factor of 1024, the processing gain G_(p) with aspread factor of 1024 can be expressed in Decibels (dB) as 10 Log(1024)=30.10 dB. The duration of 10 milliseconds (5,120 symbols)supports a transmission in which the meta-carrier signal may beembedded.

Again, if one assumes the X_(orig) original burst carrier signal's Es/Nois 10 dB, and burst meta-carrier signal S_(chipped) has a spreadingattenuation of 33.11 dB relative to X_(orig), the resultingEc/No=Es/No−10*Log (2048)=10 dB−33.11 dB=−23.11 dB Keeping the low-datarate burst meta-carrier signal information rate constant allows theoriginal burst carrier signal with more bandwidth to always have higherEs/No properties, resulting in the spread burst meta-carrier signalappearing as low-level noise, thus minimally, if at all. The totaldegradation of the Es/No of the original burst carrier X_(orig) can beobserved on FIG. 3 as the Total Degradation of -0.2930 dB.

The resulting burst meta-carrier signal may be inserted under theoriginal carrier signal and extended to the 3 dB (99% bandwidth)roll-off points of the original carrier signal. The burst meta-carriersignal information to be embedded into the original burst carrier signalmay be provided in a multitude of ways, but is not limited to themethods described herein.

A particular method implementation requires information about theduration of the burst to determine whether a burst is a candidate tohave a meta-carrier signal embedded within the original carrier signal.A burst that contains a fewer than a minimum required number of symbolsmay not be considered as a burst to have the meta-carrier signalembedded. Above this minimal threshold, the burst may then have themeta-carrier signal embedded within the original burst carrier signal toform a composite carrier signal. FIG. 4 shows the Burst Time Transmit(TX) Aperture burst duration 400 as a start and stop time where theterminal may begin to transmit and then stop transmitting. A check maybe performed to determine if the time duration (number of symbols) isbelow the threshold, and if it is, then no meta-carrier signal istransmitted. As an example, a 256 Ksps carrier signal requires that theminimum threshold to transmit a meta-carrier signal is six (6) data bitsto be transmitted in the burst carrier signal, and then the duration maybe determined as follows:

Minimum number of bits to be transmitted: 6

Carrier Symbol Rate: 256 Ksps

Chip rate for Meta-Carrier: 224 Kcps

Spread Factor: 2048

The minimum duration of the burst carrier signal transmitting six (6)bits is:

6 bits*(2048 chips/bit/224 Kcps)=54.8 mS or 14,043 symbols

As a second example using a different spread factor, a 256 Ksps carrierrequires that the minimum threshold to transmit a meta-carrier is six(6) data bits to be transmitted in the burst carrier signal, and thenthe duration may be determined as follows:

Minimum number of bits to be transmitted: 6

Carrier Symbol Rate: 256 Ksps

Chip rate for Meta-Carrier: 224 Kcps

Spread Factor: 1024

The minimum duration of the burst carrier signal transmitting for six(6) bits is:

6 bits*(1024 chips/bit/224 Kcps)=27.4 mS or 7,021 symbols

The method uses the preamble 420 of the burst carrier signal 410 toremove the phase and timing ambiguity at the receiving decoding device.FIG. 4 shows the start of the meta-carrier signal 430 data 440 begins atthe end of the transmission of the preamble 420. In an alternateembodiment, the burst meta-carrier signal 430 information 440 may bestarted during the transmission of the preamble 420. FIG. 5 shows thehow the meta-data is then chipped using the PRN sequence and theresulting chipped meta-carrier signal sequence modulated and combinedwith original carrier signal.

As shown in FIG. 5 in a particular embodiment, the PRN spreadingsequence is used to reassemble the non-contiguous meta-data as it isreceived. The first burst carrier signal PRN sequence 500 shown in FIG.5 ends with the progression of 8237, and FIG. 6 begins with theprogression of 8238 as the second burst carrier signal's PRN sequence600. The code progression through the sequence continues in this mannerwith each successive burst carrier signal. Each burst may be a differentsize and the progression through the code continues as each burst takesplace from the burst transmit terminal. In an alternate embodiment, theburst meta-carrier signal 430 information 440 may be started during thetransmission of the preamble 420.

In a particular embodiment, the code progresses sequentially through thePRN code epoch as is shown in FIGS. 4-5, 7A-B and 10, where the burstcarrier signal ends at one point in the code epoch and resumes at thenext sequential point in the epoch on a subsequent burst. In analternate embodiment as shown in FIGS. 11-12, each burst carrier signalmay step a fixed distance through the code such that instead of resumingthe next sequential position in the code epoch, the code resumes in thenext predefined location (next segmentation point) that is assigned tothe terminal. Using this mechanism reduces the search time at thereceiving (decoding) device, since the last known location results in apriori information directing the decoding device as to where in thesequence to start looking for the next burst carrier signal. FIG. 8depicts a starting offset 810, 820, 830 in the PRN sequence for each ofthree transmission terminals using a particular method implementation.

To ensure that burst carrier signals may be reconstituted at thereceiver (decoding device), numerous methods may be brought to bear toensure burst correlation. To ensure code phase distributions of thenumerous burst transmit terminals, a long code may be used, such as, forexample, a code on the order of many times the burst length. As anon-limiting example, a message of 32 bits (4 bytes) requires 65,536chips to be received, so a PRN code of 2̂24 (16,777,216) would have a1/256 (0.39%) probability of overlap if the codes were distributeduniformly among the transmission sites. In a particular embodiment, eachburst device may be instructed to start at a known code offset for eachtransmission. In this embodiment, each burst carrier signal is steppedto the next known offset (unique to each site) at the beginning of eachburst.

At the embedding device (the modulator), upon notification that a burstlength is suitable for inserting a portion or all of the meta-data, thePRN sequence generator starts chipping the data after the preamble 420of the original burst carrier signal is complete and the original burstcarrier signal's data 450 is being transmitted. The meta-data 440continues to be transmitted for the duration of the original burstcarrier signal's data 450 being transmitted. Upon closure of thetransmit aperture, the progression through the PRN sequence stops, andif the transmitter is operating in sequential sequence mode, the PRNcode stops at that location. Upon the next transmit cycle, the PRN coderesumes. If the transmitter is operating in stepped mode, then the PRNcode is advanced to the next known break point location in the PRN codeas shown in FIG. 11, and if there is an offset, then an offset isapplied as shown in FIG. 12. Both FIGS. 11 and 12 have a fixed step sizeof eight to advance the code to the next break point in the PRNsequence, however, this disclosure is not intended to be limited assuch. An alternative embodiment may use a signaling mechanism toinstruct the transmitters where to start their offsets to ensure burstuniqueness for meta-data reassembly.

The information 440 contained in the burst meta-carrier signal 430 maybe small since the duration of a burst is typically small (limitednumber of symbols). Therefore, the information 440 contained in theburst meta-carrier signal 430 may be limited to a manufactureridentification, model number and serial number, or any other relevantinformation. The entire identification sequence may be limited to, forexample, only 24 bits (or 3 bytes), and an allocation for one byte forCyclic Redundancy Checking (CRC) for a total meta-data frame of 32 bits(or 4 bytes).

FIG. 7A demonstrates an implementation of a burst meta-carrier signalreceiver. The input containing the composite carrier signal (originalburst carrier signal and burst meta-carrier signal) may be received 700,converted to a digitally sampled signal 720 and optionally stored in arecording or memory device 710. First, the original burst carriersignal's preamble is decoded 730 removing the timing and phase ambiguityfor the processing of the burst meta-carrier signal. The preamble may beused to direct the delay control logic 740 to direct the burstmeta-carrier signal despreader 750, demodulator 760, and decoder 770logic for decoding. Since the receiver 700 may be connected to arecording device 710, the incoming bursts may be stored, processed, andre-processed in an iterative fashion to extract the burst meta-carriersignal. The output of the burst meta-carrier decoder 770 is provided tothe burst meta-carrier storage 780 where the meta-data fragments arestored for processing by the burst meta-carrier processor 790. Once afull meta-data message has been reassembled, the message may be outputand memory reclaimed. FIG. 7B demonstrates an alternative embodiment inwhich the burst meta-carrier signal demodulation may be accomplished bythe original carrier signal demodulation process 800 when the chip rateis tied to the original signal's bit rate.

FIG. 9 demonstrates an implementation of the logic flow that may beapplied to the burst meta-carrier signal process using the block diagramshown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Upon receiving a burst carrier signal 900, anattempt to identify a location in the PRN code sequence is made 910. Ifa known location is found 920, meta-data is stored in a known bin 930and all bins are then checked 940 to determine whether a completemessage is present 950. If so, the message is output 960. If a completemessage is not found, a determination is made as to whether adequatesearch time remains 970 and if so, unknown bins are checked for amessage 980.

The following are particular implementations of burst meta-carriersignal techniques provided as non-limiting examples.

Example 1

A satellite burst transmit station is configured to operate in a burstformat at an assigned center frequency, occupied bandwidth and powerlevel to a satellite. For this example, the satellite burst transmitstation is configured to operate with a particular method implementationusing a sequential PRN sequence embedding method. In this example, theburst time planner at the hub-earth station has assigned the satelliteburst transmit station enough symbols to transmit an entire meta-datamessage in a single burst. When the transmit opportunity is realized,the preamble of the burst carrier signal is transmitted, the burstmeta-data is chipped and the burst meta-carrier signal is then created,combined, and transmitted with the original burst carrier signal's data.The meta-data continues to repeat and the PRN sequence continues toprogress. The meta-data information and PRN sequence is stopped at theclosure of the transmit aperture and will resume on the next transmitopportunity.

Example 2

In particular implementations of the system described in Example 1, thesatellite burst transmit station receives a burst time plan that doesnot allow a full meta-data message to be transmitted, but is longer thanthe minimum threshold under which no meta-data message is to be sent.The meta-data is transmitted as described in Example 1, but only aportion of the meta-data is transmitted. The meta-data information andPRN sequence is stopped at the closure of the transmit aperture and willresume on the next transmit opportunity.

Example 3

In particular implementations of the system described in Example 1, thesatellite burst transmit station receives a burst time plan that doesnot allow a full meta-data message to be transmitted and is shorter thanthe minimum required to transmit a meta-carrier message. In thisexample, no meta-carrier signal is transmitted.

Example 4

A satellite burst transmit station is configured to operate in a burstformat at an assigned center frequency, occupied bandwidth and powerlevel to a satellite. For this example, the satellite burst transmitstation is configured to operate with a particular method implementationusing a stepped PRN sequence embedding method. For this example, theburst time planner at the hub-earth station has assigned the satelliteburst transmit station enough symbols to transmit an entire meta-datamessage in a single burst. When the transmit opportunity is realized,the preamble of the burst carrier signal is transmitted, the burstmeta-data is chipped and the burst meta-carrier is then created,combined, and transmitted with the original burst carrier signal's data.The meta-data continues to repeat and the PRN sequence continues toprogress. The meta-data information and PRN sequence is stopped at theclosure of the transmit aperture and will step forward to the assignedbreak point in the PRN sequence on the next transmit opportunity.

Example 5

In particular implementations of the system described in Example 4, thesatellite burst transmit station receives a burst time plan that doesnot allow a full meta-data message to be transmitted, but is longer thanthe minimum threshold under which no meta-data message is to be sent.The meta-data is transmitted as described in Example 4, but only aportion of the meta-data is transmitted. The meta-data information andPRN sequence is stopped at the closure of the transmit aperture and willstep forward to the assigned break point in the PRN sequence on the nexttransmit opportunity.

Example 6

In particular implementations of the system described in Example 4, thesatellite burst transmit station receives a burst time plan that doesnot allow a full meta-data message to be transmitted and is shorter thanthe minimum required to transmit a meta-carrier message. In thisexample, no meta-carrier signal is transmitted.

Example 7

A satellite burst transmit station is configured to operate in a burstformat at an assigned center frequency, occupied bandwidth, and powerlevel to a satellite. For this example, the satellite burst transmitstation is configured to operate with a particular method implementationusing the stepped PRN sequence and an offset is applied for theembedding method. In this example, the burst time planner at thehub-earth station has assigned the satellite burst transmit stationenough symbols to transmit an entire meta-data message in a singleburst. When the transmit opportunity is realized, the preamble of theburst carrier signal is transmitted, the burst meta-data is chipped, andthe burst meta-carrier is then created, combined and transmitted withthe original burst carrier signal's data. The meta-data continues torepeat and the PRN sequence continues to progress. The meta-datainformation and PRN sequence is stopped at the closure of the transmitaperture and will step forward to the assigned break point and an offsetapplied in the PRN sequence on the next transmit opportunity.

Example 8

In particular implementations of the system described in Example 7, thesatellite burst transmit station receives a burst time plan that doesnot allow a full meta-data message to be transmitted, but is longer thanthe minimum threshold under which no meta-data message is to be sent.The meta-data is transmitted as described in Example 7, but only aportion of the meta-data is transmitted. The meta-data information andPRN sequence is stopped at the closure of the transmit aperture and willstep forward to the assigned break point and an offset applied in thePRN sequence on the next transmit opportunity.

Example 9

In particular implementations of the system described in Example 7, thesatellite burst transmit station receives a burst time plan that doesnot allow a full meta-data message to be transmitted and is shorter thanthe minimum required to transmit a meta-carrier message. In thisexample, no meta-carrier signal is transmitted.

Example 10

A satellite burst receiving (decoding) station is configured to operatewith a known center frequency and symbol rate. For this example, thesatellite burst receiving station is configured to operate with aparticular method implementation using the sequential PRN sequence forthe embedding and reassembly method. In this example, eleven bursts arereceived as described in FIG. 7A. Burst 1 is from station A withsequence 0 to 10,000, then station B with sequence 40,000 to 41,023,then station C with sequence 80,000 to 99,823, then station A withsequence 10,001 to 18,223, then station B with sequence 41,024 to51,223, with a continuation from station B with sequence 51,224 to88,227, then station C with sequence 99,824 to 112,029, then station Awith sequence 18,224 to 22,889, with a continuation from station A withsequence 22,890 to 29,031, then station C with sequence 112,030 to118,853, and then finally station B with sequence 88,228 to 98,520. Uponreceipt of the messages, the burst meta-carrier processor determinesuseful message information has been received from station A in sequence0 to 29,031, then station B in sequence 20,000 to 98,520, and finallystation C in sequence 80,000 to 118,853.

Example 11

A satellite burst transmit station is configured to operate in a burstformat at an assigned center frequency, occupied bandwidth and powerlevel to a satellite. For this example, the satellite burst transmitstation is configured to operate with a meta-carrier signal. At thereceiving (decoding) station the burst receiving (decoding) stationreceives the bursts without interference in the shared TDMA channel.

Example 12

In particular implementations of the system described in Example 11, thesatellite burst transmit station is not operating properly andtransmitting in a spectrum that is not assigned/approved fortransmission. A burst meta-carrier signal decoding device may be used todetermine the identity of the source of the improperly operating carriersignal.

Example 13

In particular implementations of the system described in Example 11, thesatellite burst transmit station is not operating properly andtransmitting in a spectrum that is not assigned/approved fortransmission. Additionally, the improperly operating burst transmitterminal is occupying spectrum that is being used for transmission, andthe result is two burst carrier signals occupying the same spectrum,resulting in interference to the assigned user of the spectrum. A burstmeta-carrier signal decoding device may be used to determine theidentity of the source of the improperly operating carrier signal in aninterference condition.

In places where the description above refers to particularimplementations of telecommunication systems and techniques fortransmitting data across a telecommunication channel, it should bereadily apparent that a number of modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may beapplied to other to telecommunication systems and techniques fortransmitting data across a telecommunication channel.

1. A method of receiving and reassembling non-sequential meta-datainformation embedded within an original burst carrier signal comprising:receiving, by a receiving device, multiple composite burst carriersignals, each composite burst carrier signal comprising an originalburst carrier signal and a meta-carrier signal, wherein the meta-carriersignal occupies at least a portion of a bandwidth of the original burstcarrier signal and comprises one or more bits of meta-data informationof a meta-data message about the original burst carrier signal that isnon-contiguous in reference to a temporal order in which the meta-datais received by the receiving device; detecting, by a detecting device, aDirect Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) spreading sequence and extractingthe meta-carrier signals from the composite burst carrier signals;determining a phase progression of the meta-carrier signals based on aPseudo-Random Noise (PRN) spreading code; storing the one or more bitsof information from the meta-carrier signal in a storage device; andreassembling the one or more bits of meta-data information from eachmeta-carrier signal into a sequential order after an entire meta-datamessage is received and extracted from one or more subsequently receivedcomposite burst carrier signals.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising establishing a start of the meta-carrier signal based on apredetermined characteristic of the original burst carrier signal. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising generating one or more digitalsamples of the received meta-carrier signal using an analog to digitalconverter.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising reprocessingincoming data stored by a recording device after detection of an error.5. The method of claim 4, further comprising repetitively commandingstored incoming data to be iteratively output using a control device. 6.The method of claim 1, further comprising storing, by a storage device,received and demodulated portions of the PRN spreading code sequence. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether at least aportion of an incoming meta-data message is available to combine with atleast another portion of the incoming meta-data message using aniterative determination process.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising outputting, by an output device, a meta-data message inresponse to obtaining an entire meta-data message.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the PRN spreading code further comprises apredetermined step in the PRN spreading code sequence configured toindicate advancement to a next location in the meta-data sequence. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein the PRN spreading code further comprisesa fixed offset in the PRN spreading code sequence.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: searching for one or more meta-data messagebit segments containing one or more errors; and establishing aprobability of reassembly of the meta-data message when the one or moreerrors is corrected using an iterative process.
 12. The method of claim1, further comprising using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to determineone or more bit errors or gaps in the received meta-data sequence. 13.The method of claim 1, wherein a chip rate of the meta-carrier signal isequal to a symbol rate of the original burst carrier signal.
 14. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising verifying accuracy of a receivedmeta-data message by referencing an external database.
 15. A system forreceiving and reassembling non-sequential meta-data information embeddedwithin an original burst carrier signal comprising: a receiving deviceconfigured to receive multiple composite burst carrier signals, eachcomposite burst carrier signal comprising an original burst carriersignal and a meta-carrier signal, wherein the meta-carrier signaloccupies at least a portion of a bandwidth of the original burst carriersignal and comprises one or more bits of meta-data information of ameta-data message about the original burst carrier signal that isnon-contiguous in reference to a temporal order in which the meta-datais received by the receiving device; a detecting device configured todetect a Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) spreading sequence andextracting the meta-carrier signals from the composite burst carriersignals; a first processing device configured to determining a phaseprogression of the meta-carrier signals based on a Pseudo-Random Noise(PRN) spreading code; a storage device configured to store the one ormore bits of information from the meta-carrier signal; and a secondprocessing device configured to reassemble the one or more bits ofmeta-data information from each meta-carrier signal into a sequentialorder after an entire meta-data message is received and extracted fromone or more subsequently received composite burst carrier signals. 16.The system of claim 15, wherein the PRN spreading code is configured toestablish a start of the meta-carrier signal based on a predeterminedcharacteristic of the original burst carrier signal.
 17. The system ofclaim 15, further comprising an analog to digital converter configuredto generate one or more digital samples of the received meta-carriersignal.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to reprocess incoming data stored by a recording device afterdetection of an error.
 19. The system of claim 15, further comprising acontrol device configured to repetitively command stored incoming datato be iteratively output.
 20. The system of claim 15, further comprisinga storage device configured to store received and demodulated portionsof the PRN spreading code sequence.
 21. The system of claim 15, whereinthe processor is further configured to use an iterative determinationprocess to determine whether at least a portion of an incoming meta-datamessage is available to combine with at least another portion of theincoming meta-data message.
 22. The system of claim 15, furthercomprising an output device configured to output a meta-data message inresponse to obtaining an entire meta-data message.
 23. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the PRN spreading code further comprises apredetermined step in the PRN spreading code sequence configured toestablish a breakpoint in the PRN spreading code sequence to indicateadvancement to a next location in the sequence.
 24. The system of claim15, wherein the PRN spreading code further comprises a fixed offset inthe PRN spreading code sequence.
 25. The system of claim 15, wherein theprocessor is further configured to search for one or more meta-datamessage bit segments containing one or more errors and establish aprobability of reassembly of the meta-data message when the one or moreerrors are corrected using an iterative process.
 26. The system of claim15, wherein the processor is further configured to perform a cyclicredundancy check (CRC) to determine one or more bit errors or gaps inthe received meta-data sequence.
 27. The system of claim 15, wherein achip rate of the meta-carrier signal is equal to a symbol rate of theoriginal burst carrier signal.
 28. The system of claim 15, wherein theprocessor if further configured to verify accuracy of a receivedmeta-data message by referencing an external database.